Speaking Shakespeare
Deciphering Archaic Words
Monday, April 16, 12
Did you know...
98% familiar
+
2% archaic
100% possible for you to understand
Monday, April 16, 12
Four Questions to Ask
1. What’s happening in the passage?
2. What’s words in the sentence are familiar?
3. How does the word sound?
4. When I plug in my best guess for what the
word might mean, does the sentence still
make sense?
Monday, April 16, 12
1.What’s happening in the passage?
BARNARDO: Who’s there?
FRANCISCO: Nay, answer me. Stand and unfold yourself.
BARNARDO: Long live the King!
FRANCISCO: Barnardo.
BARNARDO: He. ... ‘Tis now struck twelve. Get thee to bed, Francisco.
FRANCISCO: For this relief much thanks. ‘Tis bitter cold, / And I am sick at
heart.
BARNARDO: Have you had a quiet watch?
FRANCISCO: Not a mouse stirring.
BARNARDO: Well, good night.
Monday, April 16, 12
2.What words in the sentence are familiar?
BARNARDO: Who’s there?
FRANCISCO: Nay, answer me. Stand and unfold
yourself.
3. How does the word sound?
Monday, April 16, 12
4. When I plug in my best guess for what the
word might mean, does the sentence still make
sense?
BARNARDO: Who’s there?
FRANCISCO: Nay, answer me. Stand and unfold
yourself.
Monday, April 16, 12
What’s your best guess?
BARNARDO: Who’s there?
FRANCISCO: Nay, answer me. Stand and unfold yourself.
BARNARDO: Long live the King!
FRANCISCO: Barnardo.
BARNARDO: He. ... ‘Tis now struck twelve. Get thee to bed, Francisco.
FRANCISCO: For this relief much thanks. ‘Tis bitter cold, / And I am sick at
heart.
BARNARDO: Have you had a quiet watch?
FRANCISCO: Not a mouse stirring.
BARNARDO: Well, good night.
Monday, April 16, 12